Bangkok bombers enjoyed Pattaya holiday

20 Feb 2012

The three would-be Bangkok bombers who blew themselves up last week had enjoyed a Pattaya holiday prior to their mishap. Thai officials say the trio had spent a few days in Pattaya where they visited a Middle Eastern café and employed the services of female hostesses.

Thai officials say investigations have revealed the three Iranians had entered Thailand via Phuket on 8 February and then travelled straight to Pattaya. Staff at the Top Thai Hotel here say two of the men had stayed at the hotel and only gone out late in the evening.

A lady with the nickname of Nan told police investigators that Mohammad Khazaei had asked her to show him the bright lights of Pattaya. She found friends for the man’s compatriots and all of them went to the café where they drank beer and smoked hookah waterpipes. Nan also said she visited Khazaei’s hotel room.

The alleged plot by the three men to detonate bombs in Bangkok came badly unstuck last Tuesday afternoon when three explosions ripped through the house they were renting on Soi Pridi Banomyong. Two men, since named as Masoud Sedaghatzadeh and Khazaei, were unhurt and managed to flee the scene.

The third man, 28-year-old Saied Moradi, was injured and while covered in blood tried to hail a taxi. When the taxi driver refused to let him board, Moradi threw a number of grenades around, one of which bounced back and blew off his legs.

Sedaghatzadeh and Khazaei have since been detained and Thai police say they are looking for an additional two alleged accomplices. Priewpan Damapong, the Thai national police boss, said Israeli diplomats were believed to have been the bombers’ intended targets.

Tags: bombers Pattaya holiday